







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| I don't like violence in real life, I only like it in movies. | |
| Why do you think it's weird? | |
| Do you mean the guy with the beard? | |
| Why don't you get it then? Do you want to see upstairs or not? | |
| Oh, okay, is there a problem with your house? | |
| I'm happy to hear that. | |
| It's still £5 more than the bigger room! | |
| Or worse, sometimes they throw a party at home! | |
| Are you the only smoker in the house? | |
| It's not borrowing, it's stealing! | |
| Oh, sorry, I didn't know I wasn't allowed to order what I want! | |
| I'm a bit paranoid about it. | |
| So Pogo gets on very well with dogs. | |
| Hang on, I remember you telling me you never kill animals! | |
| I'm sorry for not showing up at your opening. | |
| But I don't know him well. | |
| So 2017 minus 1841 equals... | |
| I'm sorry guys, there is no negotiation on the rent! | |
| Sure, our kitchen is newly refurbished... | |
| You are welcome, here is the menu, madam. | |